Is an infrared sauna blanket worth the hype? I put 2021's hottest wellness trend to the test
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What do Jennifer Aniston, Kim Kardashian, Gwyneth Paltrow and Taylor Swift all have in common?
They all use infrared saunas, of course.
The wellness trend has been generating a buzz for several years, but until now the option of installing a wood-clad sauna in your home has really only been an option for the rich and famous.
However, us mere mortals can now get our hands on blanket versions of the popular saunas, which are much more affordable and easy to store away if you’re short on space.
In short, it’s your own personal portable sauna - and has been pegged as a 2021 wellness trend to watch.
So, a few weeks ago I took the plunge. I was feeling the post-Christmas blues both in mind and body, and I needed something to help calm my anxiety and make me feel less like I was made entirely of cheese.
Enter the Infrared Sauna Blanket V3 by Higher Dose, these infrared sauna blankets are said to increase the body’s thermal energy and promote a temporary increase in blood flow – so you sweat like you’re working out, without having to actually work out.
Sounds dreamy, right? And I have to say, it is.
What is an infrared sauna blanket?
It’s essentially an infrared sauna — which uses infrared rays to heat the body directly — but in blanket form. So instead of having four walls and a bench to sit on, an infrared sauna blanket wraps around your body, plugs into a wall and heats up.
Other than those differences, the two — blanket and physical sauna — are pretty similar. As their names imply, both products use infrared light to heat the body directly, thereby warming you up but not the area around you. This also means that while the blanket will be toasty on the inside, it shouldn't be hot to the touch on the outside.
Why I rate it:
For 30 minutes each morning, I clamber into the blanket, put a podcast or some music on and zone out of the monotony of lockdown.
But aside from making me feel good as I’m in it, what else has the infrared sauna blanket done for me?
Well, I’ve found that it’s uplifting while you’re using it and the after-glow lasts for several hours afterwards.
I notice if I use the blanket before bed then I drift off easily into a deep slumber, and if I use it in the morning, I feel more ready to tackle my to-do list without so much stress around it.
Does this mean that I’m well on my way to becoming like Jennifer Aniston, finally?
Buy it: Infrared Sauna Blanket V3 | £399 from Higher Dose
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